A c scaffold frame

ABSTRACT

A scaffold member for use with one or more identical members consisting of a pair of elongated members normally positioned in a vertical position, joined by a plurality of rungs forming a ladder and joined to a pair of upper and lower ledgers cantilevered from the ends of said elongated members and adapted for receiving scaffold plank.

United States Patent 3 1191 1 1] 3,726,362 Puckett Apr. 10, 1973 [54] A C SCAFFOLD FRAME 2,883,241 4 1959 Adolfson ..182/178 3,082,843 3 1963 Le d [75] Inventor James D. Pnckett, Castro Valley, 3984,76 3x963 I gi Cahf- 3,302,749 2/1967 l-leaphy 73 Assigneez T Leasing, S Leandro, 3,684,057 8/1972 Eppmette ..182/178 Filed! fl 1972 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado 21 Appl. No.: 234,240 Aw'neyfi'ames Cypherv [57] ABSTRACT 2 Cl 2 17 637 E2 1 E Cl 1 18 I 5625 A scafiold member for use with one or more identical [58] Fieid I178 179 members consisting of a pair of elongated members 52/637 normally positioned in a vertical position, joined by a plurality of rungs forming a ladder and joined to a pair of upper and lower ledgers cantilevered from the ends [56] Referemes Cited of said elongated members and adapted for receiving UNITED STATES PATENTS ,Scafiold P 2,820,678 1/1958 Huber ..52/637 V 7 Clairm, 2 Drawing Figures A c SCAFFOLD FRAME BACKGROUND OF TI-IE INVENTION Standard scaffold frames are constructed with spaced vertical members joined by two or more cross members. Planking is laid across the upper cross members of adjacent frames and bracing joins the two frames. A disadvantage of the present standard scaffolds is that the vertical members on the side next to the building being constructed interfere with the workmen as they work on the scaffold; especially along the lower tiers of the scaffold. Another problem is the fact that State and Federal laws require the entire widths of these scaffolds to be planked for safety reasons thus resulting in needless use of planking, erection time and scaffold weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is the use of a C- shape scaffold frame to serve as the basic element in a scaffold system.

An object of the present invention is to provide a scaffold system which reduces the obstructions inherent in any scaffold system so as to provide the maximum clear working space.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the weight of the scaffold frame itself and to reduce the number of planks necessary to provide a safe working space for workmen.

Still another object is to reduce'the time and labor necessary to erect and dismantle the scaffold."

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a scaffold which can be erected in spaces too small to accommodate standard scaffolding.

Still another object is to provide a scaffold which is safer to climb.

Another object is to provide a scaffold which provides the maximum access to the side of the building at every tier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a scaffoldconstructed in accordance with the present invention with portions of the scaffold shown in exploded view to more clearly illustrate the construction of the scaffold.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a scaffold constructed in accordance with the present invention using the elements shown in FIG. 1 but on a somewhat reduced scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION members terminating at the outside member at an end 9 and extending outwardly of the inner member terminating at a distal end 11; an upper ledger 12 connected to the upper ends 13 and 14 of the elongated members, terminating at the outside member at an end 16 and extending outwardly of the inner member in parallel relation with the lower ledger member and terminating at a distal end 17; and connecting means located at the ends of the outer elongated member and the distal ends of the upper and lower ledgers adapted for connection to other scaffold members.

' The scaffold of the present invention is made from metal like other standard scaffolding. The sections may be constructed in a tubular, box or sold cross section depending upon structural requirements. Dimensions and thicknesses of the parts is dependent upon local and federal code requirements.

The connecting means located at the distal end of the lower ledger includes a stub 18 which extends in a direction toward the upper ledger and is adapted for restraining the movement of plank 19 adapted for resting upon the lower ledger.

Standard locking studs 21 and 22 which have spring loaded dogs 23 and 24 are connected to the inner elongated member in spaced relation and are adapted for receipt of standard bracing members.

The connecting means located on the lower ledger members preferably is constructed from elongated tubular members arranged in parallel relation to the ladder members 2 and 3 adapted for receipt of standard screw jacks 27 for ground leveling adjustment.

An important feature of the present invention is the fact that the lower ledger is adapted for connection to standard steel scaffolding by means of the connecting 'means. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the connecting means consists of tubular members which here constitute the lower end 28 of the ladder member 2 and the lower end 29 of stub 18. The dimensions of the tubular connecting means are such that they will receive an end 31 of a standard coupling pin. FIG. 1 shows a standard steel scaffold member 32 having tubular uprights 33 and 34 joined by a cross member 36. The other end 37 of the coupling pin fits into end 38 of the standard frame and may be locked by inserting a pin (not shown) through openings 39 and 41 and another pin (not shown) through openings 32 and 43. A collar 44 on the locking pin prevents the pin from slipping into the opening in the ends of the tubular frames.

- The coupling 28 is joined to the standard scaffold by a coupler consisting of a pin 46 dimensioned for receipt in tubular coupling means 28 which is connected to a U-shaped saddle 47 which fits over horizontal member 36 and horizontal brace 48. A pin (not shown) fits into openings 51 and 52 to lock the C-frame' to the coupler and a locking pin 53 locks the coupler to the standard frame.

The C-frame may be coupled together by means of coupling means which here include a tubular member 54 joined to the distal end of the upper ledger and the upper most end 56 of the member 2 which is tubular.

The scaffold above described is designed to accommodate most of the standard accessories made for standard scaffold. As shown in FIG. 1 overhang brackets may be connected to the ladder portion. These overhang brackets consist briefly of a horizontal member 61 for holding planks 62 and 63, a brace 64 and coupling means 66 and 67. An end piece 68 prevents the plank from slipping off the bracket.

FIG. 2 shows a scaffold set up using the C-frame above described together with standard scaffold frames. The set up shown includes standard scaffold frames which are wider than the C-frame and standard frames the same width as the C-frame to show its versatility. Standard frame 32 and frame 69 are joined by bracing 71 and a C-frame shown generally by the number 1 is connected to it in the manner shown in FIG. 1. A second C-frame, shown generally by the number 72 is then connected to frame 69. A standard scaffold frame 73 having a width equal to that of the C- scaffold 74 is connected by means of the standard coupling pins described above.

Plank 76 is placed on the bottom ledger and plank 77 is placed between members 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the planks 78 and 79 rest on frames 73 and 69 forming a continuous walkway with planks 76 and 19. Bracing 81 and 82 connect C-frames l and 72 at the inner upright members behind the planking so that the workmen have a clear, unobstructed working area next to the wall of the building they are working on. The bracing is connected to the locking studs such as 21 and 22 previously described. Other bracing 83 and 84 join C- frames 72 and 74. The scaffold rests on base plates 86. These base plates may be attached to the C-frames at couplings 28 and 29 so that the C-frame forms the base if necessary.

As shown in FIG. 1, planks 87 and 88 rest on bottom ledger 6' making a second tier of scaffold. As may be seen, the second tier presents a clear unobstructed working area as described for the first tier. The first and second tiers may be joined by pins which are inserted into openings 91, 92, 93 and 94 of the coupling pins.

1 claim:

1. A C-frame scaffold unit for use in a scaffold system comprising:

a. a pair of elongated inner and outer members arranged in parallel spaced relationship normally adapted for mounting in a substantially vertical position;

b. a plurality of rungs arranged in parallel spaced relationship connected to said elongated members at substantially right angles and adapted for use as a ladder for climbing said scaffold;

other scaffold mpmbers. 2. A C-frame scaf old as described in claim 1 comprising:

a. said connecting means located at the distal end of said lower ledger includes a stub extending in a direction toward said upper ledger adapted for restraining the movement of planks adapted for, resting upon said lower ledger.

3. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising:

a. locking studs connected to said inner elongated member in spaced relation adapted for receiving bracing members.

4. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising:

a. said connecting means located on said lower ledger member consisting of elongated tubular members adapted for receipt of standard screw jacks for ground leveling adjustment.

5. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising:

a. said connecting means on said lower ledger being adapted for connection to standard steel scaffolding.

6. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising:

a. said connecting means being located so that identical C-frame members can be connected in vertical stacked relation.

7. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 3 comprising:

a. an identical C-frame as described in claim 3 positioned in horizontal spaced relation and adapted for connection by bracing members;

b. said pair of scaffold members adapted for receiving planks carried by said respective lower ledger members and presenting an unobstructed working area outwardly of said distal ends of said ledger members. 

1. A C-frame scaffold unit for use in a scaffold system comprising: a. a pair of elongated inner and outer members arranged in parallel spaced relationship normally adapted for mounting in a substantially vertical position; b. a plurality of rungs arranged in parallel spaced relationship connected to said elongated members at substantially right angles and adapted for use as a ladder for climbing said scaffold; c. a bottom ledger connected to the lower ends of said elongated members, terminating at said outside member and extending outwardly of said inner member terminating at a distal end; d. an upper ledger connected to the upper ends of said elongated members, terminating at said outside member and extending outwardly of said inner member in parallel relation with said lower ledger member and terminating at a distal end; and e. connecting means located at the ends of said outer elongated member and the distal ends of said upper and lower ledgers adapted for connection to other scaffold members.
 2. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising: a. said connecting means located at the distal end of said lower ledger includes a stub extending in a direction toward said upper ledger adapted for restraining the movement of planks adapted for resting upon said lower ledger.
 3. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising: a. locking studs connected to said inner elongated member in spaced relation adapted for receiving bracing members.
 4. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising: a. said connecting means located on said lower ledger member consisting of elongated tubular members adapted for receipt of standard screw jacks for ground leveling adjustment.
 5. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising: a. said connecting means on said lower ledger being adapted for connection to standard steel scaffolding.
 6. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 1 comprising: a. said connecting means being located so that identical C-frame members can be connected in vertical stacked relation.
 7. A C-frame scaffold as described in claim 3 comprising: a. an identical C-frame as described in claim 3 positioned in horizontal spaced relation and adapted for connection by bracing members; b. said pair of scaffold members adapted for receiving planks carried by said respective lower ledger members and presenting an unobstructed working area outwardly of said distal ends of said ledger members. 